Doorknob spindle



Feb. 27, 1940. E.'w. ERICSSON DOORKNOB SPINDLE Filed Jan. 3, 1939 INVENTOR Ema n4 fR/CSSOA/ A r oRNE Patented Feb. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES isten PATENT OFFICE DOORKNOB SPINDLE Eric W. Ericsson, Brooklyn, Y. 7 Application January 3, 1939, Serial No. 248,935

' 7 Claims. (01. 292-350) an elongated bore or passage having an aperture in one wall of the spindle opening into said passage, and to the provision of a member fitting '10 snugly in the passage and movable longitudinally thereof, having means for receiving a screw for coupling a knob with the spindle to provide accurate arrangement of the knob onthe spindle to prevent rattling or loose movement of the knob in II connection with the door structure; a further object being to providea coupling member slidably engaging the bore or chamber of the spindle which is provided with a knurled or other roughened outer surface to securely retain the knob in .30 different positions of adjustment; a further ob.-

ject being to provide means for keying the adjustabl-e coupling member against rotation in-said bore or chamber; a further object being to provide means retaining the coupling member against accidental displacement from said bore or chamber; a still further objectbeing to provide an angular mounting of the coupling screw' with said coupling member to provide a wedgelike clamping action between the knoband spin- '0 dle so as to securely hold the screw against loosening, and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efiicient in use, and which is con- I structed as hereinafter describedand claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the several parts of my invention are designated by suitable refer once characters in each of the views, and in which: I p i Fig. l is an edge View of a door showing one of the doorknobs and part of one of my'improved spindles in section.

a Fig. 2-is an enlarged sectionalv detail view of one end portion of a spindle made according to my invention with the knob detached.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line il1l of Fig; 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an adjustable 50 coupling which I employ detached from the spindle, and

Fig. 5 is aplan view of one complete form of I spindle which I employ.

In Fig. l of the drawing I have shown at I0 the edge view of a part of a door in whichis arranged the usual latch or combination latch and lock casing H, the latch bolt of which is indicated at l2. At both sides ofthe door are arranged the usual face plates or scutcheon plates l3 having cup-shaped bushings as at M forming "5 sockets for the inner endsof knobs l5. Each knob has a shank portion it apertured as seen at l! to receive the securing screwit. 'Each knob is also provided with an elongated passage ill for the reception of the spindle 29, the latter '10 being in operative engagement withthe latch l2 infthe usual manner so as to withdraw the same in the operation of opening the door from I either side thereof. It will also be apparent that the spindle may be of any type or kind adapting 5 it for use in connection with various types of locks and including locks where each knob independently controls the opening and closing of the door. However, as my invention relates 'primarily to the manner of coupling the knobs with the spindles and not to any other structure of the spindle or the like, the other features of such devices are incidental and for this reason are not illustrated in detail.

It will of course be understood that both ends 26 of the spindle may be' of identical construction to provide the fine and close gaged mounting of each knob on the spindle. In such instances, the brief description of one end of thespindle will of course apply to both ends thereof. However, in

Fig. 5 of the drawing,.one possible adaptation of spindle construction is disclosed. In this illustration, one end of the spindle is. provided with spaced threaded apertures 2! for receiving the screw I8 of one knob to adjust the knob into at Mi least two different positions on the spindle, whereas the other end of the spindle is of the same structure asthat which I will now proceed to describe in detail.

In the construction shown, the spindle is of rectangular cross sectional form, and for the purpose of economizing in the cost of constructing the same, a round bore or passage 22 is drilled or otherwise formed in the end portion of the spindle, and one side wall of said end of the 4.5 spindle is milled to form an elongated aperture 23 which opens into the bore or passage 22. The bore22', including the aperture 23, will-be of sufficient length to provide a widerange of adjust- .ment of a coupling block or member 24 and the doorknob I 5 longitudinally of the spindle, the

knob being secured to the coupling 24 through the screw I8.

The couplng 24 is made to fit snugly-but freely in the bore 22 as will appear upon ajconsidera- 5 tion of Fig. 3 of the drawing. The outer surface of the coupling is knurled or otherwise roughened as seen at 25, note Fig. 4, so as to provide tooth-like engagements with the walls of the bore 22 when the coupling 24 is clamped in position by the screw IS. The coupling 2 2 is also provided with a transverse threaded aperture 253 which is preferably arranged at slight inclination to the perpendicular as will appear upon a consideration of .Fig. 2 of the drawing so that the screw is will be wedged in position and retained against accidental loosening when the knob is secured in its desired position of adjustment. The coupling member 24 is also provided with a longitudinal groove 21 which forms a; key way operating in connection with an elongated key 28 formed by an inwardly pressed-beaded portion which extends into the bore -,22 as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. This construction serves to key the member it-against rotation while at the same time permits free sliding movement of the member longitudinally of the bore.

After the member 24 has been inserted in the bore, it is also preferred that the end of the spindle-be burred or beaded inwardly to form a projecting stop 29 which extends into the bore 22 and thus locks or retains the member :24 against displacement from the bore and establishes a permanent connection therewith,

It will be understood that the key 23 maintains the aperture .26 of the member 24 always in proper alinement or registering position with the aperture 23. In mounting the knob in position, the member 24 may be arranged at any suitable point, preferably adjacent the-outer end of the spindle, and the knob is then placed upon the spindle with the aperture -l'l arranged directly over the aperture 26. Thescrew la is then placed in position therein, and before tightening the screw, both knobs l5 will be moved into'proper position with respect to the-plates l3 and on the spindle 2b. The loose knob will then'besecured in position by the tightening :ofthescrew l8.

The above description is given on the understanding that the other'knob of the spindle had been previously attached. With this construction it will appear that very fine adjustments may be provided for the knobs on the spindle so as to fit accurately in the sockets M of the plates l3 without any play transversely of the door and simply free enough to provide rotation of the knobs for the actuation of the latch 12.

It will be apparent that in drawing the coupling member 2 3 into firm engagementwith the wall of the bore 22, at both sides of-t'ne aperture 23 the roughened or tooth-like outer surface of said member will bite into said walls and positively key and retain the knob against displacement from the spindle. In this connection it will of course be apparent that any type or kind of roughened or tooth-like surface may be provided on the coupling member to perform the functions stated.

It will also be apparent that my invention may be applied to spindles of any desired cross sectional contour, and the bore or passage 22 may also be varied to suit various types of installations.

It will be apparent, however, that in any use, and

whether or not the knob is provided with a socket l9 corresponding in cross section to the cross sec .tion of the shank, the coupling provided will One of the features of my invention resides in the provision of means for not only retainin the aperture of the coupling in registering alinement with the aperture 23, but also to support the surface of the coupling adjacent said aperture. While in the accompanying drawing, this result is accomplished by employing a coupling member having a cross section substantially con forming with the cross section of the bore or passage 22, it will be apparent that other means will accomplish this same result.

It is also preferred thatthe apertures 2! be drilled at a slight inclination to the perpendicular so as to produce the same wedge-like action upon the screw in retaining a knob at the end of the spindle having said apertures -2l, as is accomplished with the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as .new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An adjustable doorknob mounting of the character described comprising a spindle, at least one end portion of the spindle having an elongated passage arranged longitudinally thereof, one wall of the spindle having an elongated aperture communicating with'said passage, a cou pling member mounted in the passage for free movement longitudinally thereof, said member having a cross sectional contour substantially corresponding to that of the passage tofit snugly therein, withone surface of the member maintained in position adjacent said aperture, ascrew' adjustably coupled with said member and extending through the aperture in said spindle for securing a knob in one of a number of positions of adjustment longitudinally of the spindle, and said'member having means on the outer surfaces thereof for engaging the wall of said passage when said screw is tightened to permanently retain a knob against movement longitudinally of the spindle. v I

2. A spindle construction for the adjustable mounting of doorknobs comprising an elongated spindle bar having a solid central portion, at

least one end portion of the bar having a longi-t tudinal bore and an aperture extending through out the major-portion of the length of the bore and opening outwardly through the wall of the spindle, a coupling member arranged in and movable longitudinally of the bore, said member having a cross sectional contour substantially corresponding to that of the bore to fit snugly therein, means for keying said member against rotation in the bore in the longitudinal move--v ment thereof, said member having a threaded P aperture arranged transversely thereof and registering with the first named aperture and a coilsaid screw passing through the aperture in said spindle and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said member.

'pling screw for securing a knob to the spindle,

3. A spindle construction for the adjustable 3 mounting .of doorknobs comprising an elongated spindle bar, at least one end portion. of thej 'bar having a longitudinal bore and an aperture extending throughout the major portion of the length of the bore and opening outwardly through the wall of the spindle, a coupling member arranged in and movable longitudinally of the bore, means for keying said member against I rotation in the bore in the longitudinal movement thereof, said member having a threaded aperture arranged transversely thereof and res- .istering with the first named aperture and acouplingscew for securing a knob to the spindle,

said screw passing through the aperture in said spindle and'in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said member, and the threaded aperture of said member being arranged at an inclination to aline perpendicular to the surface of said member to provide a wedge-like engagement, of the screw to retain the latter against loosening.

' i. A spindle construction for'theladjustable mounting of doorknobs comprising an elongated spindle bar, at least one end portion of the bar havinga longitudinal bore and an aperture extending throughout the major portion of the length of the bore and opening outwardly through the wallet the spindle a coupling member arranged in and movablelongitudinally'o-f the bore, means for keying said member against rotation the bore in thelongitudinal movement 'thereof, said member'having a threaded aperture arranged transversely thereof and registering with the first named aperture and a coupling screw for seeming a knob to the spindle, said screw passing through the aperture in said spindle andin threaded engagement with the threaded anerture of said memben'the boreof said spindle opening through the freeend thereof, and means at, said end of the bore retaining the coupling a member against displacement fromsaid bore infdependentrof theengagement of .the screw withsaid member. I g I 5. A spindle construction for the adjustable mounting of doorknobs comprising an elongated spindle loar, at least one end portion of the bar having a longitudinal bore andan aperture extending throughout the major portion of the v length of the bore and opening outwardly through ranged transversely thereof and registering with v t. the first named aperture and a coupling. screw. for securing a knob to the spindle, said. screw passing through the aperture in said spindle and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said member, and means keying the v oouplingmember against movement longitudinally of the bore when said member is: clamped in position by saidscrew.

6. A widerange mounting for doorknobs of the character described, comprising an elongated spindle, a member slidablyengagingone end portion of the spindle, means for coupling a doorknob with said member, said means' being arranged transversely of said knob andmember, means keying said member against rotary movement with respect to the spindle, and other means between the spindle and member-establishing a firm key-like coupling therebetween to fixedly retain a knob against movement longitudinally of the spindle in one of a number of wide range adjustments of a kn'obon the spindle through the medium'of said coupling means.

7. vAwide range mounting for doorknobs of the I character described, comprising an elongated spindle, ainemberslidably engaging one end portion of the spindle, means for coup-ling a door knob with said member, said means being arranged transversely of-said knob and .member, means keying said member against rotary movemom with respect to'the spindle, other means between the spindle'and member establishing a firm key-like coupling therebetween to fixedly retain a knob against movement longitudinally ofthe'spindle in one of a number of wide range adjustments of a knob" on the spindle through the medium of said coupling means, and the threadedapertures'for adjustably supporting another knob on the last-mentioned end of the spindle.

' other end portion of the spindle having" spaced ERIC W; ERICSSON. 

